Nevada County Schools are still facing declining enrollment, we are down about one thousand students from the count five years ago, with about 12,500 students currently in Western Nevada County’s nine k-8 and one High School District. Superintendent of Schools, Holly Hermansen in the annual report on the State of the Schools to the Nevada County Supervisors this morning says one of the biggest challenges for schools besides declining enrollment is meeting No Child Left Behind, which requires all students be proficient in reading, language arts, and math by 2014.Click here to listen to County Superintendent, Holly Hermansen

Hermansen says California will now be penalized for setting higher standards, and so far the state has been unable to apply for a waiver. In other demands on local schools Hermansen says the need for free lunch based on family incomes has increased from 15 to 37 percent , the number of English learning students has increased from 56 to 311 and the number of children with Autism has increased from 80 to 131.
On the positive side the Superintendent had high praise for Park Avenue Alternative High School which has seen physical altercations and threats decrease by 81 percent Drug and alcohol related offenses have decreased by 58 percent and has had a record setting number of graduates two years in a row.Click here to listen to County Superintendent, Holly Hermansen
Neighbors of Park Avenue school say that this is the best the school has been in 40 years. They’re able to rent their buildings again,. Community perception is very positive which is a 180 degree turn around. Marty Matheison is Principal at Park Avenue. A May 17th partnership with One Stop, Core, Sierra College and Park Avenue will feature a “There’s a Future for You” day at Sierra College Campus in Grass Valley. Students and their parents will be exposed to a multitude of Certification and Degree offerings, financial aid, counseling services, and other support.